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Our guests are hinting that they are going to stay longer than wanted ! How to find the words?

686 replies

Duvetdaysaregood · 27/12/2022 23:05

Guests invited until tomorrow. Been here since 23 rd with general idea to go between c mas and new year.

Heard one lot say to another , oh how long are you staying.? . they replied ..oh maybe till the new year. ..

I could not just holler .. what ..?? From a distance across kitchen.

So , said to them later , what did you say about stating longer .. ? They shrugged it off and changed the subject
I said i needed to know . Evasive .

I repeated that we needed to know for food etc and they just said oh well we could get food .

I have had this before and struggled .we live in a beautiful area of natural beauty where people go on holiday and they do relax .

anyone had this before ? If so , do I need to directly say please leave ..and if so how ! Without causing offence ?
They know
us well and I am struggling to ask them to go . If i say we have other guests due , ( a lie and dont want to lie ) I think they would just say oh no problem , we can all muck in , offer to sleep on camp bed if bo room .. I jusy want ghem to go .

OP posts:
SpinningOutWaitinForYa · 29/12/2022 15:36

Next time don't ask how long they plan on staying. Tell them you are welcome to come stay with us from the 23rd for a week, as an example. If they don't like the clear boundaries then it's tough, they have already been CF by expecting you to afford all of this without contributions.

fancyacuppatea · 29/12/2022 16:15

They live a good way away ( 5 hours ish) so they need in future to come for a good few days

Surely it's their turn to host you next year..?

Millytante · 29/12/2022 16:39

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 29/12/2022 13:24

Millytante,

Skin flint parents perhaps,but ones who host ops DD for 360 days of the year.

Personally I don't care who uses our washing machine but my dm and mil are certainly of that generation who were /are extremely proprietal over it.

With dm it was a sweet smile and , please let me do it, I enjoy it.

With mil it's very much,oh look what they have dumped on me... but she wouldn't let anyone else do it.

Maybe, but OP tells us of many instances of their just being cannily tight-fisted, and generally freeloaders. If the daughter lives with them all expenses paid I’d be very surprised, but I guess it’s possible. (I can’t imagine a setup I’d want less!)

Rosie22xx · 29/12/2022 18:00

Just say sorry to ask but what time are you leaving tomorrow (or the latest you can stay is till X time tomorrow) as me and my family have got things to do, was lovely spending time together. If anyone gets offended or is rude, making you feel awkward, they aren't genuine and you shouldn't host them again, they're taking advantage of you in your own home.

JT12 · 29/12/2022 18:04

Just be honest. Say that you love having visitors and are so happy they have made the effort to come and stay. They are very welcome to come back and you have had a lovely time, however, as your understanding was that they were staying until x date you have plans following that and it unfortunately doesn’t work for you if they stay longer. You have things you need to do for yourself and you need some downtime to get organised for the new year. They are more than welcome to come back and you value their friendship hugely 💕

YDBear · 29/12/2022 18:07

Is this a modern thing, to have such vague parameters for guests’ stay? I’m an old fogey perhaps but I’ve always wanted a hard date for arrival and a hard date for leaving. If they propose to stay longer than I want I just invent some reason why their proposal is impractical, and suggest another day. I just don’t understand the open-ended stay. Were someone to give me an open-ended option, I would still think it polite of me to give them a firm leaving date—for housekeeping reasons if no others.

Alice786 · 29/12/2022 18:12

I don't know how people have guests stay longer than a few days. I hate staying at other people's house and don't like to invite anyone to stay over unless very close to them and even then not more than 2-3 days max. I find it shocking how people have no shame in inviting themselves over and staying longer without asking how rude. I would not want to be friends or close with these sort of people because I would not date to ever impose myself on anyone like this! I think there's no point worrying about upsetting people who impose themselves. The only way to get the message across is to be direct and firm otherwise they will take advantage of your politeness.

fetchacloth · 29/12/2022 18:28

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 27/12/2022 23:11

Switch the heating off.

Lol, that's a good one.😂

Canthave2manycats · 29/12/2022 18:33

billy1966 · 29/12/2022 00:27

I am an older woman and I really am sick to my teeth of the obligations that are always put on women.

It is constant and relentless.

We are constantly the put upon ones who have to host and run around after people.

Well I don't because I am old, post menopausal and cranky as hell😁.

But I have friends who deal with this obligation that others push on them and they are pushing back. Hard.

Hosting is hard work and a PITA.

I have done loads of it in my day through living on multiple continents in lovely spots.

But I sure as hell don't do it now more than occasionally for ONE night.

For the simple reason I don't want to, so I am NOT doing it.

5 days, 4 lazy people sounds like hell to me.

Not a chance in hell I will ever do that again.

The idea that my adult children moving into a partners family home would mean suddenly I was under obligation to pay off some debt by running myself ragged for them by hosting a lazy family for Christmas, would never happen.

I am too old and simply no longer have the temperament for it.

I suspect, going by your username @billy1966, that I may be slightly older than you are - but I totally agree with every sentiment you wrote!

My adult DC are, and always will be, welcome in my home at any time - in fact they're all back living at home for one reason and another - and I would extend that to partners. Hell would freeze over before I'd host a partner's parents too! Their living arrangements and the DD's are nothing to do with the OP. What I would be wondering is, what kind of a family has this girl got herself mixed up with?

@Duvetdaysaregood - this is on your DD. I don't understand why you can't have a chat with her and tell her that they're overstepping the mark here.

Zodiacsigns · 29/12/2022 18:56

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 29/12/2022 12:03

@Zodiacsigns
There is free loading and freeloading though isn't there?

Has op got any sighs that they feel her dd is freeloading all year?

No there isn't IMO. Freeloading is just that. Don't know what different definitions you're trying to draw.

Other than that you still seem to think at 24 the DD is her parents (specifically her mother's) responsibility and so you think her mother owes DD partner's parents.

There's been nothing in this thread to suggest that the DD is freeloading off her partner's family. But whether she is or isn't, AFAIC it has absolutely nothing to do with OP.

You mentioned class in another post, IMO that's irrelevant.

You seem completely incapable of understanding that your own in-laws don't want guests using their house as if it were their own home. You're actually quite rude being affronted by it that they are obviously annoyed if you try acting like you live there.

If you want a cuppa, go out for one in a café if MIL has set times for making them and doesn't want you in the kitchen, giving your hosts a break from hosting and getting your own needs met at the same time.

Just because your in-laws do things differently doesn't make them wrong. You're giving no thought to how your in-laws feel only to how you feel.

No way do I believe your mother enjoys washing your and other guests clothes! I'll bet she just doesn't want you fiddling around with her washing machine and is being polite about it, taking on the job herself as the lesser of the evils. I'll bet she'd prefer if you took your dirty washing home with you.

OP in future, invite your DD and her DP to stay for a few days (2-3) only. Any longer or any extra people means a hotel. I don't have overnight guests ever (no space) and it makes all the difference. If people stay they can have a tendency to get too cozy, a bit lazy, especially if you're a good host. If they come in the mornings and leave in the evenings each day you don't get the crappy side of things happening half so much, everyone gets some downtime each day and it's clear where the boundaries are.

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 29/12/2022 19:10

@Zodiacsigns

You sound quite worked up?

I can't understand what you have drawn from my post about my in law's that we treat it like our home?

That's kind of the point. We would notdream of appearing in the slightest bit like it was a home from home.

We feel incredibly uncomfortable there at any time and it's made crystal clear that we are not to help ourselves at all to anything.

In no way at all could mil ever accuse us of "getting too relaxed and making ourselves at home". Mil absolutely hates what she thinks is a waste of money so we are not allowed to say " we are popping out for a coffee, drink or breakfast ". That would be met with an astonishing ' why!!" Why waste the money you can have it here.
The problems is that leads to discomfort and feeling akward.

They are 100% entitled to do things how they wish but we are also entitled to say we cannot cope in that restrained uncomfortable environment.
Actions have consequences.

Life at my DP is totally different.
The emphasis has always been on the relationships and people and not the house.
My dm wouldn't think twice about asking for help or saying she's tired and I wouldn't think twice saying that's fine and doing whatever.

godmum56 · 29/12/2022 19:12

Why worry about offending them? they aren't worried about offending you

Zodiacsigns · 29/12/2022 19:12

Worked up? About pixels on a web page in cyberspace? Erm, no.

godmum56 · 29/12/2022 19:14
ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 29/12/2022 19:15

" you seem completely incapable" is rather terse? "

Millytante · 29/12/2022 19:33

Duvetdaysaregood · 28/12/2022 13:31

thanks all .
I got discombobulated because we have differnet combinations of guests.

two separate issue complicated matters…

  1. one set of guest is our dd and her partner. As my daughter I dont feel I can limit her stay?
she 100% wanted to stay for Christmas and new year and was one of the people who was resisting going as she at 24 sees this as her home as well as the house she lives in .so … Literally is it acceptable to say to your dd you can come for christmas OR new year/ from xxx to yyy?
  1. the seperate lot of guests sussed that she was wanting to stay longer / oh i may be here for new year/ i dont know … which then gave them permission (i think in their own minds) to stay longer if someone else was . To be honest , its hard to say , you can stay but u cant .

She’s 24. Well past student age, when ties to the parental home may be still strong, but she'll soon be speeding towards 30 rather than hanging around nearer 18, so her regarding your house as her home strikes me as jarring. She’s a fully fledged adult, and your house is for you to enjoy now.
So, of course it’s appropriate for you to expect an idea of how long a visit will last, especially if she’s carting her second family with her.
That these people are hedging and fudging about the departure day, and at the same time carrying on like they’ve paid for the visit and you’re a commercial enterprise makes me wonder what has been said to them back home, by their son if not by your daughter.
Surely they can’t be so downright pigheaded as to believe you are happy to act as a skivvy for your guests, needing no consideration at all. Hasn’t your daughter ever spoken about life in their house? It can’t be that grim or surely she’d move out, so again, you’d wonder have they been encouraged in some awful misapprehension about staying at yours. .

Gripping stuff! If only there were some Golden Age detective fiction writer to pick up this Christmas story and run with it!
‘The Peculiar Events At Chateau Duvetdaysaregood’.

Winnipeg23 · 29/12/2022 19:34

JT12 · 29/12/2022 18:04

Just be honest. Say that you love having visitors and are so happy they have made the effort to come and stay. They are very welcome to come back and you have had a lovely time, however, as your understanding was that they were staying until x date you have plans following that and it unfortunately doesn’t work for you if they stay longer. You have things you need to do for yourself and you need some downtime to get organised for the new year. They are more than welcome to come back and you value their friendship hugely 💕

Wow! That's perfect and hits the mark!
I am really impressed with this answer.... Makes the point in a kind and gentle way but with no wiggle room for the guests.
Any decent person wud respect this and not feel aggrieved.
Unreasonable people maybe and if that is the case u are better off without them.
Perfect answer!

Justbefair · 29/12/2022 19:38

We've absolutely loved having u here, has been wonderful etc. Sorry we can't invite u to stay longer, got our own family plans and need a bit of time out as sure you understand. Not long till the stress of getting back to work, jist need some downtime. Otherwise, best to go before the madness of pre new year traffic/trains! Go...

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 29/12/2022 19:40

@Millytante

I must say this has been one of the more interest threads but I think that's because we have scant detail to go on.

I'm also suspecting that they have been "told* stuff by ops DD....

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 29/12/2022 19:58

As usual a huge drip feed by OP. Would be useful if she clarified if her DD stays rent free (or moreorless rent free) with her DP and his DPs as this puts a whole different slant on things and the DPs obviously think they’re owed an all inclusive festive break at the DD’s DPs in return (not everyone would think this though). Even though I still agree there should’ve been proper dates given for the stay I sort of think the DPs have it right here if her DD doesn’t contribute anything or very little. At 24 she should be more independent but sounds as if she and her DP are saving for a house deposit.

emptythelitterbox · 29/12/2022 19:58

I understand not minding DD staying. It's a bit odd the entire lot of them came to stay for so long.

I hope you daughter hasn't gotten herself mixed in with what I call a layabout family. Not sure if that's the right word for it.

CountryMouse22 · 29/12/2022 20:01

Benjamin Franklin famously said that guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days. I couldn't stand even two days!

mediumbrownmug · 29/12/2022 20:37

I think you did the right thing, OP. You were put in an awkward position. It can happen, even with family. I’m sorry your DD got caught in the middle, but it does happen. I have some stories that would make your hair curl.

My mom has an older brother (Alvin) who used to do this kind of thing over and over. My mom hosted both Alvin and his wife on countless occasions. They were thankless guests who announced (not asked) when and how long they would be staying, did not chip in, always overstayed the agreed dates, were perpetually on a different fad diet that required special, expensive food which they never bought themselves (and the diets were not health or weight related according to Alvin, just a trendy hobby that was their “thing”), and openly critiqued my mom’s living arrangements and hosting during their stay (which were more than comfortable and generous). She bent over backwards for them, spent hours shopping especially for their meals, stocked the freezer with expensive foods, planned meals around their diets (and once had them switch fad diets without telling her after she had shopped especially for them, then when they arrived with their new diet they complained they couldn’t eat anything), and she never got a thank you. Alvin was in his late fifties when this was going on.

A few years later after their mother, my grandmother, became older and more infirm, Alvin called my mom up and announced that he and his wife were coming to stay again and he didn’t know how long they would be there for. He often did this towards the later years of my grandmother’s life; he had lived off my grandmother (including living in her house) for decades starting in his thirties; and although my mom was my grandmother’s main caretaker Alvin would pop up occasionally to be “worried” about grandmother’s welfare, come to stay with my mom, and ask my grandmother for money. Grandmother would give it to him. Then Alvin took to asking my mom for money too. She gave him some too.

But this time, hosting him was actually impossible for my mom. So for the first time, she replied that Alvin would need to get a hotel because my mom would actually be on an extended vacation for her and my dad’s milestone anniversary. And Alvin said, “Oh, that’ll actually be even better, we’ll have your whole house to ourselves! Just leave us your keys.” (Yes, he asked for the car keys too. For both cars. And would they top off the gas tanks first, actually.)

Mom very politely responded that it would not work and Alvin would need to get a hotel. Alvin was very disgruntled but didn’t make a scene as my parents genuinely never went on vacation and Alvin was clearly expecting more freebies in the future if he kept his trap shut. But his response was enough to miff my dad, and that gravy train never left the depot again. It’s hard, but doable. My mom learned eventually to set some boundaries, but for my grandmother it was too late.

Years later, my grandmother’s life was coming to a close and the family all rallied around her as families do. Alvin’s adult children showed up for the first time ever, and actually asked her for money on her deathbed. And THEY GOT IT.

Never speak to them now.

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 29/12/2022 22:03

I think Alvin is in a different class to ops issue's.

And Alvin wasn't hosted for the entire year by his wife's family.

owdlass · 29/12/2022 22:19

Hopefully they may have gone by now. All it needs is for you the host, not to be bothered about being straight with them, and just say it like it is.. don't use excuses, like.. I need to get quiet time, or etc.. Just let it be known by whatever means ( you'll know what to say) that you expect them to be off on the appropriate day, and if there's any ifs ad buts, then be just as direct as they seem to be, and dont stand anything in the way of wheedling around you. You're the boss. You've been good enough to have them until now. Just say you'll be glad to see the back of them ( in jest of course, but not really)

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